BARBER SHOP CHRONICLES – Where Real Men Gather, Gab, and Get Groomed

December 10, 2018December 22, 2018 michaelhobanLeave a comment

By Sheila Barth

BOX INFO: One-act, 110-minute play, written by Inua Ellams, co-produced by The Fuel, National Theatre, and West Yorkshire Playhouse, appearing at American Repertory Theater (A.R.T.) through Jan. 5, 2019, on its US premiere tour, Loeb Drama Center, 64 Brattle St., Cambridge: Dec. 19-22. 26-29, 31, Jan. 2-5, at 7:30 p.m.; Dec. 19,22,23, 27, 29-31, Jan.5, 2 p.m.. Tickets start at $25, subscriber, member, groups, student, senior, Blue Star families EBT cardholders and other discounts. americanrepertorytheater.org, 617-547-8300.

We all do it. While getting our hair cut or styled at the barber shop or salon, we engage in small talk with our hairdresser/barber. We even discuss lofty topics, solving the world’s problems. Sometimes, we lean over a bit to eavesdrop on what the person in the chair nearby is revealing. Strangely enough, we openly talk about family and friends’ secrets, our feelings, likes and dislikes, political and personal problems to a stranger. You never know what truths, boasting, or bravado may erupt, but you know the dynamic exists globally.

FUTURITY (Wilbury Theatre Group, Providence, RI)

December 10, 2018December 15, 2018 michaelhobanLeave a comment

Reviewed by Tony Annicone

The current show at Wilbury Theatre Group is the Rhode Island premiere of “Futurity”, an avant-garde-Americana musical by Cesar Alvarez and the Lisps. It mixes sci-fi with 19th Century Americana. The story follows the correspondence between Ada Lovelace, the real life daughter of Lord Byron, who was a poet and a mathematician, and Julian Munro, a completely fictional soldier during the American Civil War who served with the Ohio regiment.

A CHRISTMAS CAROL Stadium Theatre, Woonsocket, RI

December 10, 2018December 17, 2018 michaelhobanLeave a comment

Reviewed by Tony Annicone

Stadium Theatre’s holiday show this year is the new musical production of “A Christmas Carol.” This version of this well known holiday tale contains special flying effects, snow and a full 9 piece orchestra. This version was written by John Popa who also wrote the witty lyrics with music written by Steve Parsons. “A Christmas Carol” is a timeless story that still resonates with people of all ages and carries a message that is as genuine and poignant now as it was when it was first written back in 1843.

NSMT’s ‘A CHRISTMAS CAROL’ Brings the Classic to Glorious Life

December 9, 2018December 9, 2018 michaelhobanLeave a comment

Reviewed by Tony Annicone

Current artistic director Kevin Hill directs this year’s presentation of its favorite holiday show once again. He also directed “Mamma Mia”, the megahit at NSMT this past summer for four sold out weeks. “Christmas Carol” is the tale of curmudgeonly Ebenezer Scrooge, who is visited by the ghosts of Jacob Marley,Christmas Past, Present and Yet to Come who hope to change his destiny and to save his soul. Audiences are taken on a strange and magical journey with Scrooge that helps him regain his exuberance for the true meaning of Christmas once more. Bill spares no expense in bringing this splendid heartwarming tale to audiences for his ninth year. Kevin and his cast and crew delivers the goods with audiences leaping to their feet at the curtain call. They are moved to laughter and tears at all the appropriate moments. Bravo once again on a job very well done!

Company Theater’s Oliver! a Homegrown Joy

December 9, 2018December 9, 2018 michaelhobanLeave a comment

BrittanyRolfs (Nancy), Matthew O’Connor (Oliver) and Aliyah Harris (Bet).

By Linda Chin

Oliver! Directed by Zoe Bradford and Jodie Saucerman .Presented by The Company Theatre at the Center for Performing Arts, 30 Accord Park Drive, Norwell through December 16

Seeing shows, particularly musicals at Company Theater usually puts me in a good mood (and for me, are worth the long drive to Norwell), and the current production of Oliver! (running through December 16) is no exception. It is a theater company whose productions and casts seem to be selected with the audience and community in mind, and feelings of family and pride for local talent permeate the experience once you walk through the door.

Huntington’s “Man in the Ring” Delivers Emotional Knockout Punch

December 8, 2018December 9, 2018 michaelhobanLeave a comment

“Man in the Ring” – Written by Michael Cristofer. Directed by Michael Greif. Presented by Huntington Theatre Company, Calderwood Pavilion at the BCA, 527 Tremont Street, Boston through December 22.

Playwright Michael Cristofer certainly had his work cut out with him when he took on the charismatic, controversial, and complex Emile Griffiths as his subject in “Man in the Ring”, the moving and emotionally compelling drama currently playing at the Huntington. So strong was the piece, the performances, and the man that I couldn’t wait to get home and do some further research.

GBSC’s “It’s A Wonderful Life” Plays the Hits

December 7, 2018December 7, 2018 michaelhobanLeave a comment

by Mike Hoban

“It’s a Wonderful Life” – Adapted from Frank Capra’s original screenplay by Weylin Symes. Directed by Tonasia Jones and Tyler Rosati; Scenic Design by Sarah Rozene; Costume Design by Chelsea Kerl; Lighting Design by Kayleigha Zawacki. Presented by the Greater Boston Stage Company at 395 Main Street, Stoneham, through Dec. 23.

Greater Boston Stage Company’s production of It’s A Wonderful Life is a lot like seeing a tribute band do songs from one of your favorite artists – just hearing the familiar tunes can bring a smile to your face or, in this case, the re-creations of scenes will certainly bring a tear to your eye. There are few holiday films that have the emotional impact that this classic does, rivaling the granddaddy of them all, A Christmas Carol. And for those of us who have made a viewing of the movie a Christmas season ritual, it’s almost impossible to not choke up when you know what’s coming – whether it’s Clarence getting his wings or George saving Mr. Gower from giving a lethal prescription to a child after he finds out his own son has died.

New Rep’s ‘1776’ Brings Diverse Take to Birth of Nation

December 6, 2018December 6, 2018 michaelhobanLeave a comment

By Deanna Dement Myers

‘1776’ – Music and Lyrics by Sherman Edwards; Book by Peter Stone. Co-directed by Austin Pendleton and Kelli Edwards. Production Team: Cristina Todesco, Scenic Designer; Rachel Padula-Shufelt, Costume Designer; Alberto Seggara, Lighting Designer; Lee Schuna, Sound Engineer; Todd C. Gordon; Music Director; Kevin Schlagle, Stage Manager; and Brian M. Robillard, Assistant Stage Manager. Presented by New Repertory Theatre at 321 Arsenal St, Watertown through December 30

“This is a revolution, dammit, we’re going to have to offend somebody!”

Before Hamilton, there was 1776. Debuting on Broadway in 1969, this musical by Sherman Edwards based on the book by David McCullough, about the impassioned debate preceding the signing of the Declaration of Independence, has relevance to the political climate of our time. The New Repertory theater in Watertown presents a racially and gender diverse cast which provides wry commentary and insight into the difficult discussions during the early days of our country.

LYRIC STAGE & FRONT PORCH COLLECTIVE’S ‘BREATH AND IMAGINATION’ TAKES YOU TO CHURCH

December 6, 2018December 27, 2018 michaelhobanLeave a comment

by Nicholas Whittaker

‘Breath and Imagination’ – Written by Daniel Beaty; Directed by Maurice Emmanuel Parent; Music Director, Asher Denburg; Additonal Music Direction, Doug Gerber; Scenic Design, Baron E. Pugh; Costume Design, Elisabetta Polito; Lighting Design, Aja M. Jackson; Sound Design, David Wilson. Presented by the Front Porch Collective and Lyric Stage Company at 140 Clarendon St. Boston through December 23

In the early movements of Breath and Imagination: The Story of Roland Hayes, a memory by Daniel Beaty, the eponymous character’s mother Angel Mo’ instructs her young son on a sung phrase. Together, they pore over the short phrase, focusing not on the precise notes, but on the spirit of the song, the intricacies of vocal flows and riffs and tone and emotion that characterize the tradition of Black gospel and church music. Together, they transform the phrasing from a mere collection of notes to a song, a deeply felt religious moment of love, joy, and community.

At Merrimack Rep, Christmas and Jane Austen Intersect

December 5, 2018 michaelhobanLeave a comment

Review by James Wilkinson

‘Miss Bennet: Christmas at Pemberley’ Written by Lauren Gunderson and Margot Melcon. Directed by Bridget Kathleen O’Leary. Scenic Design: James J. Fenton. Costume Design: Linda Ross. Lighting Design: Brian J. Lilienthal. Sound Design: David Remedios. Wig Design: Rachel Padula-Shufelt. Produced by Merrimack Repertory Theatre, 50 E Merrimack St, Lowell through December 23rd.

In the interest of full disclosure, I’m going to admit that I walked into Merrimack Repertory Theatre’s production of Miss Bennet: Christmas at Pemberley with a certain amount of trepidation. The play by Lauren Gunderson and Margot Melcon is a (sort of) sequel to Jane Austen’s Pride and Prejudice, taking place around Christmas sometime after the events of the original novel. I don’t have any particular antipathy to Christmas shows, (I’ve seen versions of A Christmas Carol that have left me weeping in my seat). Nor do I have any ill will toward Jane Austen. Actually, my trepidation comes from opposite feelings. I have an unabashed and enthusiastic love of Austen’s work. I have ever since first encountering Pride and Prejudice in high school and since then have read and reread all of her novels. I’ve seen most of the film and television adaptations of her work and I’m in a long running argument with a close friend about the merits of the 2005 Keira Knightley movie of Pride and Prejudice (she’s con, I’m pro and I’m not giving up that fight anytime soon…). So when I come to Miss Bennet, I come from a place of love. What’s going to happen to these characters that I’ve lived with for so long?